Frequency Offset Function

Other topics about Measurement Using E5053A and External Mixer

This section describes the frequency offset function and applicable setting values/measurement values.

Overview

This function offsets the frequency readouts when using an external downconverter or external mixers. All the frequency data and marker readouts are converted along with the equation below.

RF = N × LO -/+ IF

Where RF is the DUT frequency, N is the harmonic number, LO is the LO frequency of the external downconverter or the mixer used.

You can use this function to display the setting values and measurement results of the E5052B in terms of DUT frequencies (frequencies before down-conversion).

This function supports an offset not only when the internal local signal (LO) supplied to the internal mixer is at the lower frequency side of the DUT signal, but also when it is at the higher frequency side.

The frequency offset function is available when the device configuration is A or B in Device configuration using E5052B and E5053A, and when the device configuration is C with the external mixer enabled.

Setting Items

Setting items to use the frequency offset function are as follows.

On/Off Setting of Frequency Offset Function

Turn on/off the frequency offset function.

System > Instrument Setup > Frequency Offset (User Downconv.) > Frequency Offset > ON | OFF

Setting of Conversion Mode

Set the conversion mode of the frequency offset function.

System > Instrument Setup > Frequency Offset (User Downconv.) > Conversion Mode > RF = n * LO + IF | RF = n * LO -   IF

When you select RF = n × LO + IF, Upper Side Band (USB) mode is used, while selecting RF = n × LO - IF, Lower Side Band (LSB) mode is used.

For information on the frequency conversion equations, see Frequency Conversion Equations.

Setting of LO Frequency

Set the LO frequency of a mixer or a downconverter used.

The LO frequency range is as follows:

System > Instrument Setup > Frequency Offset (User Downconv.) > LO Frequency

The LO frequency is used for the equations as described Frequency Conversion Equations. When the conversion mode is USB, the setting range is 10 M - 330 GHz, and when the conversion mode is LSB, 500 M - 330 GHz.

Setting of Harmonic Number

Set the harmonic number of a mixer.

System > Instrument Setup > Frequency Offset (User Downconv.) > Harmonic #

The harmonic number is used for the conversion equations as described in Frequency Conversion Equations. The setting range is 1-34.

Frequency Conversion Equations

The frequency conversion equations are as follows.

  1.  When the conversion mode is USB. (RF > N × LO)

RF = N × LO + IF

  1. When the conversion mode is LSB. (RF < N × LO)

RF = N × LO - IF

,where RF is the DUT frequency, LO is the LO frequency of a mixer or a downconverter used, IF is the IF frequency of the downconverted signal, and N is the harmonic number.

 

Consideration on Frequency Setting

All the measurement setup parameters concerning frequency can be input as DUT frequency when frequency offset function is applied. The applicable frequency range is from 20 M to 117 GHz. There are some constraints on measurement setup parameters actually depending on the IF frequency of the downconverted signal being fed into the E5052B, and it is determined by the measurement range of the E5052B.

The listed below may be needed on considering the frequency setting when using the frequency offset function.

  1. Setting common to all measurement modes

  1. Spectrum monitor measurement mode

  1. Transient measurement mode

When the frequency offset function is on, the Wide Freq Range softkey is not available, and the Wide Freq Span softkey appears instead. Use the Wide Max Frequency softkey to set the maximum frequency.

Applicable Measurement Results

The listed below are the measurement results that the frequency data is converted by the use of frequency offset function.

  1. Phase-noise measurement mode

  1. Frequency/power measurement mode

  1. Transient measurement mode